Vautrin Fernand de Montsorel is on his way here. (To Saint-Charles) And what do you say about all this? Saint-Charles You are a hero; let me be your servant. Vautrin You are ambitious. Would you follow me? Saint-Charles Anywhere. Vautrin I can well believe it. Saint-Charles Ah! what a master mind you obtain in me, and what a loss to the government! Vautrin Go; and wait for me at the bureau of passports. (Exit Saint-Charles.) SCENE FIFTEENTH. The same persons, the Duchesse de Christoval, Inez and Mademoiselle de Vaudrey. Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Here they are! The Duchesse de Christoval My daughter, madame, has received a letter from Monsieur Raoul, in which this noble young man declares that he would rather give up Inez, than deceive us; he has related his whole life's history. He is to fight a duel with your son to-morrow, and as Inez is the involuntary cause of this duel we are come to prevent it; for it is now entirely without ground or reason. The Duchesse de Montsorel There will be no duel, madame. Inez He will live then! The Duchesse de Montsorel And you shall marry the Marquis de Montsorel, my child. SCENE SIXTEENTH. The same persons, Raoul and Lafouraille. (The last named does not tarry.) Raoul (to Vautrin) What! Would you imprison me to prevent my fighting a duel? The Duke With your brother? Raoul My brother? The Duke Yes. The Duchesse de Montsorel You are, then, really my child! (She embrace Raoul.) Ladies, this is Fernand de Montsorel, my son, the-- The Duke (taking Raoul by the hand, and interrupting his wife) The eldest son, who was carried off from us in childhood. Albert is now no more than Comte de Montsorel. Raoul For three days I have been in a dream! You, my mother! You, sir-- The Duke Your father--yes! Raoul Among the very people who asked me to name my family-- Vautrin Your family has been found. Raoul And--are you still to have a place in my life? Vautrin (to the Duchesse de Montsorel) What shall I say to you? (to Raoul) Remember, my lord marquis, that I have, in advance, absolved you from all charge of ingratitude. (To the duchess) The child will forget me; will the mother also? The Duchesse de Montsorel Never. The Duke But what are the misfortunes that plunged you into so dark an abyss? Vautrin Can any one explain misfortune? The Duchesse de Montsorel Dear husband, is it not in your power to obtain his pardon? The Duke The sentences under which he has served are irreversible. Vautrin That word reconciles me to you, it is a statesman's word. Your grace should explain that transportation is the last expedient to which you can resort in overcoming us. Raoul Monsieur-- Vautrin You are wrong; I am not even monsieur at present.